Learn About This Location

San Marcos is a city in the northern region of San Diego County in California that had a population of 83,842 in 2010 and is the site of California State University, San Marcos.

According to legend, the San Luis Rey Mission flocks were stolen by a small group of Native Americans in the late 1700s. Fleeing from Spanish troops, the Native Americans escaped to the foothillshills. While pursuing the flocks, the Spaniards came upon a fertile valley, which was named Los Vallecitos de San Marcos in honor of the day of discovery: St. Mark’s Day.